ABC News - Australia, New Zealand record highest breast cancer rates in world

Featuring Prof Nehmat Houssami.

Researchers found the incidence rate for breast cancer was highest in Australia and New Zealand, and the breast cancer burden was not evenly distributed.

Australia and NZ had likely recorded high diagnosis rates because of several factors.

"There are various reasons for this related to the population structure — for example, aging and risk factor profile," Prof Houssami said.

"Breast cancer risk factors that women may be less aware of include alcohol consumption, low physical activity, and post-menopausal obesity — so we need to improve support for women to reduce these potentially modifiable risk factors."

The research also found the burden of breast cancer diagnosis and mortality was not "spread equally" across countries.

"Countries that are less affluent and have less developed health systems have much worse breast cancer outcomes than the more developed and affluent countries… High-quality cancer and vital status data, and continued progress in early diagnosis and access to treatment, are needed in countries with low and medium HDI to address inequities and monitor cancer control goals," the study said.

Read the full article here: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-02-25/australians-diagnosed-with-breast-cancer/104974538

And the associated publication here: Global patterns and trends in breast cancer incidence and mortality across 185 countries | Nature Medicine